North Carolina Stat. Library Raleigh DOWNTOWN ELIZABETH CITY POPULATION AND ECONOMIC BACKGROUND 006- ELIZABETH CITY , N 0 RT H C A RO L I N A Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from State Library of North Carolina http://www.archive.org/details/downtownelizabetOOnort DOWNTOWN ELIZABETH CITY POPULATION AND ECONOMIC BACKGROUND 'ELIZABETH CITY, NORTH CAROLINA The preparation of this report, was financially aided through a Federol grant from the Urban Renewal Administration of the Housing and Home Finance Agency, under the Urban Planning Assistance Program authorized by Section 701 of the Housing Act of 1954, as amended. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION POPULATION COMPOSITION OF THE POPULATION MIGRATION TRENDS ECONOMY THE PRODUCTION OF WEALTH DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH THE CONSUMPTION OF WEALTH 13 13 24 29 SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS 39 CONSUMER AND MERCHANTS SURVEYS 46 PREPARED FOR: THE CITY OF ELIZABETH CITY W. E. INGRAM - MAYOR R. V. LUTHER - CITY MANAGER CITY COUNCIL C. E. RICHARDSON B. C. JENNETTE L. M. TWIFORD JOHN W. FOREMAN G. P. DIXON A, P. MIDGETT W. H. TUNSTALL CADER P. HARRIS, JR, PLANNIt^G COMMISSION M. R. DANIELS, JR. - CHAIRMAN ELMO WILLIAMS A. B. ETHERIDGE HEYWOOD HOUTZ INTRODUCTION \ :^ ¥ / 1 k s A /\ \ The Downtown Plan for Elizabeth City has been divided into two separate studies: a Population and Economy Report and a Preliminary Plan. The Preliminary Plan will be concerned with the actual physi- cal development of the downtown area as it exists today with proposed plans for its future development. The Population and Economy Report will be a statistical review of those factors which engender commer- cial trade with emphasis on the downtown area. The major function of the downtown is as a commercial center not only for the City itself, but also for its trading area. These com- mercial activities supply people with their material needs and ser- vices such as clothing, home furnishings, food, drugs, banking facili- ties and professional advice. The amount of commercial activity or trade which will take place downtown is directly related to the number of people who come to shop and their income. When either of these is increased or decreased it effects the amount of commercial activity which will take place. Most merchants in Elizabeth City are conscious of this, having experienced the closing of the Naval Base. An analysis and evaluation of population and economic statistics is necessary to determine the characteristics of present commercial trade and to estimate what changes will be taking place within the next twenty years. If population and income increase, then there may be a need for more stores or for different types of stores than presently exist. And it will be necessary to make plans for this additional retail trade space in planning the future downtown area. Geographically, Elizabeth City is located in the northeast corner of the North Carolina Coastal Plain in the center of the rich agricul- tural Albemarle Region. As a result of this location, it serves as the trading center for this area and local business activity is sustained to a large degree by people living in this area as well as those living within Elizabeth City proper. This trading area includes all or parts of five counties - Camden, Perquimans, Chowan, Currituck and Pasquotank. This trading area has been delineated on the accompanying map and will be referred to in all subsequent text as the Trading Area. AREA OF TRADE INFLUENCE OF ELIZABETH CITY INTRAClOASTAL ^WAtpRWAV The Coast Guard Air Station is located several miles south of Elizabeth City and the deactivated 1 igh t er- than -a ir naval base. The latter facility has recently been acquired by the North Carolina State Ports Authority and part of its facilities are being rented out to industry. The City's location on the Pasquotank River has provided the basis for a small ship building and repair facility. Elizabeth City is also the site of Elizabeth City State Teachers College and Albemarle Community Collage, both actively growing colleges. One other characteristic of Elizabeth City's regional location must be taken into consideration. The No r f o 1 k- Po r t smo u th metropolitan area of more than k million inhabitants, is located only 45 miles to the north, and has a definite effect upon the pattern of retail trade in Elizabeth City's downtown area. It is the shopping area with which Elizabeth City must compete for the expenditure of the region's con- sumer dollar. POPULATION \ The primary and most obvious characteristic of the population of a city or trading area is the total number of people. But this is not a static number for it changes from day to day by means of births, deaths and by persons moving in or out of the area. It is only by analyzing the total number of people who live in Elizabeth City and within the trading area over a long period of time and comparing it with State and national trends that any assumptions might be made in regard to the probable future population. The U.S. Census population statistics shown in Table 1 indicate that Elizabeth City has had a steady growth pattern increasing to over twice Its size during the last sixty yearso Its rate of growth during the 1900-1910 decade was 32.5 percents three times that of any decade thereafter, and should therefore not be considered as typical. The average population increase per decade for Elizabeth City since 1910 was 1,130 or 10.9 percent. Considering more recent trends, Elizabeth City's population in- creased 9=7 percent from 1940 to 1950 and 10.9 percent from 1950 to 1960 or a total of 21.6 percent for the 1940-1960 period. In contrast the population of all cities over 2,500 population within North Carolina increased 85 percent indicating that urbanization in Elizabeth City has been taking place at approximately one-fourth the rate of other North Carolina cities. In fact, Eli?absth City's growth rate has been below that of the State except for 1910 and 1940, Since 1910 population growth rates in the Trading Area have been very small and from 1950 to 1960 the population increase was only 1.4 percent. Except for Pasquotank, each of the counties experienced either intermittent or general declines in population. Pasquotank County has grown in population because it includes Elizabeth City. Subtracting Elizabeth City's population from that of the County indicates that the County increased 2,564 persons or 22.1 percent. This increase is proba- bly caused by people moving outside the city limits into that area along U. S. Highway 17 both to the north and south. POPULATION AND PERCENT INCREASE PER DECADE FOR ELIZABETH CITY AND TRADE AREA, 1900-1960 ELIZABETH CITY NUMBER PERCENT TRADE AREA NUMBER PERCENT STATE OF N. C. NUMBER PERCENT 1900 6,348 46,012 1910 8,412 + 32.5 52 ,383 + 13 .8 1920 8,925 + 6.2 52,106 - 0 .5 1930 10,037 + 12.5 53 ,264 + 2 .2 1940 1 1 , 464 + 15.2 54,062 + 1 , .5 1950 12 , 685 + 9.7 57,913 + 7 , . 1 1960 14,062 + 10.9 58, 736 + 1 , , 4 Average Increase Per Decade Since 1910 942 10.9 1,059 2.5 1 ,893 ,810 2,206,287 +16.5 2 ,559, 123 +16.0 3,170,276 +23 .9 3,571, 623 +12.7 4,061,929 +13 . 7 4,556, 155 +12 .2 391 , 645 15.7 Source: U.S. Census COMPOSITION OF THE POPULATION The population of any area is made up of persons of different age, sex and race. If the numbers of any specific age, sex or race group in- creases or decreases significantly it will change the general composition of the labor force, school enrollment and retail marketing patterns. A larger number of infants will necessitate a greater sales volume of infants clothes, diapers, foods and the like. An increase in retired persons will necessitate special housing and community activities suited to their age. Age Group Trends Age group trends for Elizabeth City and the Trade Area have followed those of the State, but to a much more significant degree. The proportion of persons 0-19, 45-64 and 65 and over have increased while the proportion of those in the age group 20-44 have decreased. In Elizabeth City, persons 0-19 increased from 33 to 39 percent of the total population from 1950-60 which is greater than the increase within the Trading Area and significantly higher than in the State. Persons 20-44 decreased from 40 to 30 percent which is a significantly higher decrease than that for the Trading Area and State. In contrast, changes in the pro- portion of persons 45-64 and 65 and over were very similar for Elizabeth City, the Trading Area and the State. These changes point out the consistent rise in the proportion of the retired segment of the population. This increase is primarily attributable to an increased life span plus a lack of out-migration by people of this age. In Elizabeth City the proportion of persons 65 and over in 1960 in- creased by 384 persons or a 41 percent increase. This is four times the total population increase for the same period. The increase in the proportion of the 0-19 age groups although par- tially attributable to large out-migration by the 20-44 age group has been caused by the larger birth rates. This age group increased 1,238 persons in 1950-60 or a 29 percent increase. TABLE 2 PERCENT DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION AND PERCENT INCREASE BY AGE GROUPS - 1950 and I960 ELIZABETH CITY FIVE COUNTY STATE OF N .C. TRADE AREA PERCENT PERCENT PERCENT NUMBER DIST. INC. NUMBER DIST. INC 1 NUMBER DIST . INC. 1950 Total 12, 685 100 57,913 100 4 ,061,929 100 0-19 4,273 34 23 ,290 40 1 ,677 ,441 41 20-44 5, 140 40 20,823 36 1 ,534,505 38 45-64 2,345 19 9,820 17 624,686 15 65 6i Over 927 7 3,980 7 225,297 6 1960 Total 14,062 100 58, , 736 100 4,556; ,155 100 0-19 5,511 39 25, ,736 43 1,929, ,240 42 20-44 4,312 31 17 . , 132 29 1 ,509: . 731 33 45-64 2,928 21 11 : ,317 19 805, ,017 18 65 & Over 1,311 9 5; ,024 9 312, , 167 7 Trends in Racial Composition Except for the 1910 and 1950 decades the racial composition of Elizabeth City has been relatively stable with an average ratio of 61 White to 39 Negro persons. The number of Negro persons within the Trading Area is slightly larger averaging 57 White to 43 Negro persons. In contrast, the State had approximately 75 White to 25 Negro persons in 1960. Although the overall State Trend is toward a general reduction of the number of Negroes, from 32 per 100 in 1910 to 25 per 100 in 1960 this does not seem to be happening in Elizabeth City or the Trade Area with the exception of the 1950 decade. TABLE 3. WHITE AND NEGRO POPULATION AS A PERCENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION 1910-1960 ELIZABETH CITY WHITE NEGRO TRADE AREA WHITE NEGRO STATE OF N.C. WHITE NEGRO 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 52.7 47.3 52.4 47 . 6 68.0 32.0 61 .5 38.5 55.2 44.8 69.7 30.3 62.9 37.1 56.3 43 .7 70.5 29,5 61.4 38.6 56.5 43 .5 71.9 28. 1 66.9 33 , 1 59 .7 40.3 73.4 26.6 63.0 37.0 58.6 41.4 74.6 25.4 Trends in Sex Composition In Elizabeth City there has been a slightly larger proportion of females since 1910 except for slight increases in 1920 and 1960. In 1960 in Elizabeth City there were 53 females to 47 males whereas, for all practical purposes the sex ratio for the Trading Area and State were 50 females to 50 males. In 1920 the number of males and females in the State was equal, but in 1960 there were approximately 103 females for every 100 males. In contrast, for Elizabeth City in 1920 there were 111 females to 100 males and this has increased in 1960 to 113 females for 100 males. A combina- tion of a somewhat greater tendency to out-migrate by males, plus a longer female life span seems to be primarily responsible for this trend. TABLE 4, MALE AND FEMALE POPULATION AS A PERCENT OF TOTAL POPULATION 1910-1960 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 ELIZABETH CITY TRADE AREA STATE OF N. C. MALE FEMALE MALE FEMALE MALE FEMALE 48.3 51.7 50.5 49.5 49.8 50.2 47.5 52.5 50.5 49.5 50.0 50.0 47.4 52.3 49.5 50.5 49.7 50.3 48.0 52.0 50.0 50.0 49.6 50.4 47.4 52.6 49.9 50.1 49.7 50.3 47.0 53.0 49. 1 50.9 49.3 50. 7 MIGRATION TRENDS Every year a number of people move out of Elizabeth City or the Trade Area or move into it. There are no statistics available which show detailed migration trends, but it is possible to compute the general migration pattern. The natural population increase is the number of births minus the number of deaths. This is conputec for the 1950-1960 decade and added or subtracted from the actual 1960 population figures. The resulting figure is the number of persons added or lost due to migration during the decade. TABLE 5. NET MIGRATION 1950-1960 Total Percent Elizabeth City Trade Area State of N. C -1,682 -9,828 -294,099 -10. 7 -14.3 -6.1 As shown in Table 5, Elizabeth City had a 10.7 percent decrease due to out-migration. This was nearly twice the 6 percent decrease for the State and is about as many persons as Elizabeth City gained through popu- lation growth for the same decade. The Trace Area lost even a larger percentage of its residents. Migration by Race Table 6 shows that every county in the Trade Area experienced out- migration, both White and Negro. Out of the total 9,828 persons who out-mi- grated there was 5,47 5 White and 4,353 Negro persons. While the number of White persons leaving out-numbered Negroes by approximately 1,100 persons, the out-migration when measured as a percent of the total population of each race was slightly higher for Negroes. TABLE 6. NET MIGRATION BY RACE 1950-1960 Pasquotank County Camden County Perquimans County Chowan County Currituck County TOTAL No . Per c en t WHITE No. Percent NEGRO No . Percent -3 ,497 -12, .0 -2,398 -13, . 4 -1 ,099 - 9, .8 - 510 - 8 .3 - 288 - 8, .2 - 222 - 8, ,6 -1 ,961 -17 , .6 - 715 -12, .8 -1,246 -22, .5 -3 ,452 -22, . 7 -2,008 -24, ,3 -1 ,444 -20. ,9 - 408 - 5, .8 66 - 1, .4 - 342 -14, ,1 Total (Trade Area) -9,828 -14.3 -5,475 -13 .7 •4,353 -15.2 Elizabeth City -1,682 -10.7 -1,731 -16.4 56 + 1.1 In Elizabeth City there was an in-migration of 56 Negroes in con- trast to the 1,738 White persons who left the City. The Negro in-migra- tion may be attributable to farm displacement, as fewer farm hands are needed because of mechanization and they come into the closest urban center to find employment. Migration by Age Groups Figures for migration of selected age groups shown in Table 7 indi- cate that females in the 0-19 and 45-64 age groups had the least out-mi- gration and were below the percentages of Pasquotank County and the State. In the 20-44 age group, which includes those persons most likely to migrate, Elizabeth City had much less out-migration than Pasquotank County but it was still a higher percentage than that for the State. In all probability, the figures for Pasquotank County are representa- tive of the Trade Area and it should be noticed that these figures are high above the State percentages and in the case of males 20-44, nearly twice as high. In general, females of all age groups have less propensity to out- migrate and the ages 20-44 migrate at the highest rates except for those 65 and over where it is presumed death plays the major role. TABLE 7 NET MIGRATION FOR SELECTED AGE GROUPS 1950-1960 AGE GROUPS 0-19 20-44 45-65 65 6< Over El izabeth City Males Numb er Percent F ema 1 es Numb er Percent -214 -10.2 -47 .2.2 -335 -13 .7 -344 -12.7 .15.9 .14.4 -73 .5.< .216 ■ 56.4 .276 .50 .7 Pasquotank County Males Numb er Percent Fema 1 es Numb er Percent .728 -15.7 .542 .11.5 965 -392 20.6 -20.1 907 -251 18. 7 -12.5 .403 .59.6 .462 .54.9 State of N. C. Males Numb er Percent F ema 1 e s Numb er Percent 89, 19, ,239 .5 -85,819 -11.4 -56, -18, ,843 .6 -62, -59, ,319 ,2 82, 10, ,978 .0 -69,970 -9.0 -31 , -10, ,866 ,0 -61 .. -51 , ,265 , 1 11 Future Estimates From Past Trends There are only two ways in which future growth may be estimated; first by projecting past trends into the future and second by making basic assump- tions in regard to changes which may possibly take place but which are not presently Indicated. Neither of these two methods is absolutely accurate, but the first in most cases is more accurate than the second. The projection of assumptions in some cases may be pure conjecture cr guesses while the pro- jection of past trends is closely related to population and economic facts that are deeply engrained within the existing situation and which only un- ordinary luck or a high degree of human initiative will change. Un-ordlnary luck, such as the location of a large automobile assembly plant seldom comes to pass. This report will estimate the future population of Elizabeth Cicy and the counties within its Trade Area on the basis of past trends. These are shown in Table 8. Elizabeth City can expect an increase in population of approximately 2,900 persons representing a growth rate of 20 percent from 1960 to 1980. In contrast, it is anticipated that the population of the Trade Area will decrease by approximately 350 persons during the same period of time, representing a decline of .6 percent. Of the five counties in the Trade Area, Pasquotank, Camden and Currituck are expected to experience small increases in population; however, Perquimans and Chowan are expected to suffer moderate to large decreases. The recent industrial employment which Chowan County has secured is not reflected in these trends so that population there might stabilize instead of having a loss in population. TABLE 8. FUTURE POPULATION ESTIMATES - 1970 and 1980 TOTAL PASQUOTANK CO. CAMDEN COUNTY PERQUIMANS CO. CHOWAN CO, No. 7o No. % No. % No. % No. % Change Change Change Change Change 1970 58,475 0.4 26,656 4.0 5,850 4.5 8,384 -8.7 10,745 -8.4 1980 58,384 -1.6 27,826 4.4 6,131 4.8 7,563 -10.9 9,800 -8.8 CURRITUCK CO. No. 7o Change 1970 6,840 3.7 1980 7,064 3 ,3 ECONOMY \ \ ^ t / s A /\ \ THE PRODUCTION OF WEALTH The production, distribution and consumption of wealth within any community are the major factors which will effect the amount of retail trade that will take place downtown. Therefore, it is extremely impor- tant to evaluate how wealth is produced within the community in order to better estimate its stability and growth pattern in the future. One of the most frequently used methods of analyzing the manner in which wealth is produced within a community is through an evaluation of employment. For in all cases employment means payroll and payroll means retail sales. The number of people employed within any particular type of industry is a good indicator of its importance to the local economy. And, since each industry must operate within the national and state economy it is possible to estimate the long range trends which may effect that industry and, therefore, future employment. All figures in the following tables are taken from U. S. Census figures, primarily for 1958 and 1960, the 1962 figures not having been released yet by the Department of Commerce. Consideration will be given to changes which have taken place since that date. Employment Trends As shown in Table 9, Elizabeth City's role as a service center to provide goods and services to the surrounding Trade Area provides employ- ment for 63 percent of those employed. This includes 27 percent employed in commerce, 15 percent in personal services and 21 percent in the profes- sions. In contrast, State figures for these same categories total only 37 percent. There were 1,068 persons employed in manufacturing or 21 per- cent, in contrast to 32 percent for the State, pointing out a major point o f weaknes s . Within the Trade Area 28 percent of those employed were in agriculture, forestry and fishing, 40 percent in commerce and services and 19 percent in manufacturing. The agricultural percentage is over double the State figure. While the percentage in commerce, services, professions, construction and transportation were about the same as the State. 13 - The 1950-1960 changes in employment indicate that in Elizabeth City employment in commerce decreased 3 percent, transportation 10 percent and construction 26 percent, while those employed in the professions increased 32 percent. The total increase in employment was only 276 persons or 6 percent compared to an 11 percent population increase for the decade. The most significant change in the Trade Area is the 28 percent de- crease in persons employed in agriculture, forestry and fishery. This decrease was offset by increases in commerce, transportation, services, and professions, so that the overall decrease was only 1 percent. This is important as it indicates that decreases in agricultural employment are being offset by employment in other industries which are character- ized by higher wages and a greater stability. The greatest weakness is the fact that manufacturing employment has remained generally the same within the Trade Area and Elizabeth City, not even keeping up with the population increases. And during a period in which manufacturing employ- ment in the State increased 24 percent. TABLE 9 EMPLOYMENT BY TYPES OF INDUSTRY 1950-1960 1960 NUMBER 1960 PERCENT DISTRIBUTION *TRADE AREA Total Emp loy ad igr icul ture , Forestry and I Fishery Uanuf a c t ur ing fining construction Transportation Homme r ce Personal Services, Incl . Ent . & Rec . Professional Others or not given 14,042 ELIZABETH CITY 5,052 *TRADE AREA ELIZABETH CITY *TRADE AREA 1950-1960 PERCENT CHANGE ELIZABETH ! CITY 1 0 0 % 10 0% 1 0 0 % 1% 67o 10% 3 ,861 83 2 8% 2% 13% -2 8% 41% -43% 2,654 1 ,068 19% 21% 3 2% 2% -- 2 4% 15% 14% 874 251 6% 5% 6% __ -2 6% 547 286 4% 6% 5% 17% -10% 12% 2,761 1 ,385 2 0% 2 7% 16% 2 8% - 3% 2 7% 1,314 748 9% 15% 8% 16% 8% 14% 1,607 1 ,059 11% 2 1% 13% 12% 3 2% 47% 424 172 3% 3% 7% 81% 169% 12 5% Trade Area includes 5 county area with Elizabeth City excluded. 14 Stability of the Economic Base Table 10 shows the classification of industries according to their sensitivity to fluctuations in the national business cycle. Most of the industries in Elizabeth City and its Trade Area can be found within one of these groupings. In Elizabeth City approximately 20 percent of the employment is in industries which are markedly or highly sensitive such as wood products, textiles, construction, etc. But about 72 percent of the employment is in industries which either are highly or markedly insensitive or are moderately sensitive. The total employment percentages are not as high in the Trade Area because approximately one-fifth of all employees work in agriculture. In the Trade Area 20 percent of the employment is in markedly or highly sensitive industries and approximately 52 percent in industries which are either moderately sensitive, highly or markedly insensitive. This indicates that recessions of the national economy may not be felt as severely or as quickly as would be the case for many other urban areas. 15 - ABLE 10. SENSITIVITY OF NON-AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES TO CHANGE IN NATIONAL BUSINESS CYCLE-1960 I PERCENT 1 PASQUO- i TANK OF TOTAL PERQUI- MANS COUNTY EMPLOYMENT CHOWAN CAMDEN CURRI- TUCK 7. OF TOTAL TRADE AREA EMPLOYMENT % OF TOTAL ELIZABETH CITY EMPLOYMENT *GROUP I (HIGHLY INSENSITIVE) 20.22 12.04 14. 42 12.01 16.92 16.70 25.00 **GROUP II (MARKEDLY INSENSI- TIVE) 8.00 4. 64 6. 96 4. 42 3 .32 6.46 9.09 ***GROUP III (AVERAGE SENSI- TIVE) 33.51 30.89 29. 33 27.74 22.33 30.52 37.75 ****GROUP IV (MARKEDLY SENSITIVE) 18.22 14.42 17 . 51 14.49 16.67 17.01 17.12 t****GROUP V (HIGHLY SENSITIVE) 3.96 1.63 1 . 28 7 .95 6.87 3.71 3.76 TOTAL 83.91 63 .62 69 . 50 66.61 66.11 74.40 92. 72 AGRI., FOR., FISHERIES 10.33 33.26 26. 77 27.97 27 .84 20.66 1 . 64 "OTHER" AND NOT CLASSIFIED 5.76 3.12 3 . 73 5.42 6.05 4.94 5. 64 GRAND TOTAL 100.00 100.00 100. 00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 ^Includes Trucking, Communication, Ut and Public Administration. i 1 i t i es , Education , Medical and R elated Prof ess ions , **Includes Foods, Printing and Publish Insurance and Real Estate. ing, Business and Repa ir Services , and F inane e , ***Includes Apparel and Fabricated Textiles, Ch Wholesale, Retail, Private Households, and em i ca 1 s Other F , Railroads, and R ersonal Services. a i Iwa y Express, ****Includes Furniture, Lumber and V»ood Products , Textile Mill P f 0 due t s, and Construction. ■****Includes Electrical and Non-Electrical Machinery an Metals and Motor Vehicles and Other Transportation d E quipment, Primary and Fabricated If - 16 - Manufacturing Employment One of the most important producers of wealth within any community is its manufacturing establishments. These provided 32 percent of the 1960 employment in the State or more jobs than any other industry. In Elizabeth City it provided 1,068 jobs being second to those in commerce. The largest number of persons employed in any one industry in Eliza- beth City is 29 percent in lumber, with textiles a close second with 28 percent. These same industries lead wi;hin the Trade Area and the State in the number of persons employed. It should be noted, that in each of these industries employment decreased, not only in Elizabeth City but also on a State and national basis. In the United States persons employed in lumber, wood and furniture decreased approximately 11 percent and in textiles 22 percent from 1950 to 1960. Persons employed in the manufacturing of transportation equipment and food were the next highest industries. The percentage was significantly higher in both Elizabeth City and the Trade Area than the 1 percent dis- tribution in the State. The manufacturing if transportation equipment had significant increases in employment from 195C to 1960, but nothing in com- parison to 533 percent for the State. However, the number of persons em- ployed in food industries decreased by 1 percent from 1950 to 1960 which is especially disappointing since there was an overall increase of 59 per- cent for the Sta:e. Another negative factor in regard to community growth is the fact that total employment in manufacturing did not increase, but just held its own during a period in which that for the State increased 24 percent. - 17 TABLE 11. DISTRIBUTION OF MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT 1950- -1960 1960 NUMBER PERCENT 1960 DISTRIBUTION 1950-1960 PERCENT CHANGE TRADE AREA ELIZABETH CITY TRADE AREA ELIZABETH CITY STATE TRADE AREA ELIZABETH CITY STATE Total Mfg. Employment 2,654 1 ,068 100 100 100 2 -- 24 Primary 6< Fabricated Metals 8 17 _ 2 2 _ — 178 Machinery (Elec. and (Non-electrical ) 53 33 2 3 7 67 106 609 Transportation, Equip- ment (Aircraft, Ships Truck Bodies) 458 140 17 13 1 166 146 533 Other Durables, Non-Dur and Not Spec. 60 39 2 4 12 10 -23 100 Lumber, Furniture, Etc. 1,113 310 42 29 16 -29 -28 -3 Textile 396 304 15 28 44 4 -2 3.1 Apparel 218 43 8 4 6 273 514 128 Food 225 108 9 10 7 - -1 59 Printing, Publishing & Chemical Products 123 74 5 7 5 -22 9 106 - 18 h Characteristicg of the Labor Force From 1950-1960, employment for males declined 2:3 percent in Elizabeth City and 10.4 percent in the Trade Area. In contrast, female employment in- creased 23 percent in Elizabeth City and 3 7 percent in the Trade Area, In 1950 males accounted for 67 percent of the total labor force in Elizabeth City and 77 percent of the total labor force in the Trade Area; however, in 1960, had declined to 62 percent for Elizabeth City and 69 percent for the Trade Area^ A long term continuation of this trend could be dangerous resulting in a situation where the female segment of the population actually has a greater opportunity of finding employment than the male. In addition to the social problems inherent in a situation such as this, there are also economic problems to be considered. As a general rule, females, even for equal work, receive lower wage than males, therefore the total income, thus purchasing power, of the entire Trade Area could be adversely affected. Table 12 illustrates the changing complexion of the occupational structure indicating that employment for males has declined in nearly all categories. The professional, managerial and proprietary group increased 7 percent and farm work increased 22 percent. During the period in which employment for males decreased employment for females increased in Elizabeth City by 23 percent, following the State trend. Usually throughout the State this increase has been in females working in the manufacturing of apparel merchandise, but in Elizabeth City the increase has been primarily in the category of unskilled persons with a decrease of 20 percent in skilled and 17 percent in semiskilled. In the Trade Area, there was a large decrease in employment for males in the unskilled and farm group with small to moderate increases in skilled; semi- skilled; and professional, managerial and proprietary groups^ For females, there were large increases in all groups excepting skilled groups which declined 20 percent. However, it represents a loss of only a few employees. The Trade Area followed the same trend as Elizabeth City and the State of decreasing em- ployment for males. 19 TABLE 12. OCCUPATION BY SEX FOR ELIZABETH CITY AND TRADE AREA* 1950-1960 Total Employed Males Prof., Mgr., Propr. Clerical and Sales Skilled Workers Semiskilled Unskilled All Farm Wo rk Not Repo r t ed Total Employed Females Prof., Mgr., Propr. Clerical and Sales Skilled Workers Semiskilled Unskilled All Farm Work Not Reported 1960 1960 1950-1960 NUMBER PERCENT DISTRIBUTION PERCENT CHANGE TRADE ELIZABETH TRADE ELIZABETH STATE TRADE ELIZABETH STATE AREA CITY AREA CITY AREA CITY 13,168 3, 140 100 100 100 -10 -2 0 1 ,748 679 13 22 15 11 7 28 1,131 461 9 15 11 -5 -13 24 2,159 657 16 21 18 7 -9 23 2,363 666 18 21 23 4 -9 9 1 ,959 516 15 17 12 21 -4 3 3,352 44 25 1 16 -33 22 47 456 117 4 4 5 128 290 283 5,926 1,912 100 100 100 38 23 35 868 323 15 17 14 17 23 2 1,596 547 27 29 25 45 22 16 28 12 1 1 1 -20 -20 — 896 238 15 13 28 23 -17 9 2,093 711 35 37 23 43 36 3 216 4 4 0 5 37 -20 -45 229 77 4 4 5 34 221 133 Includes Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Pasquotank, and Perquimans Counties 20 - Labor Force and Unemployment: One of the problems which every community faces is the creation of jobs for the ever increasing labor force. It might be noted from the previous section on population that the post-war baby boom was now be- ginning to graduate from high school and in the next three to five years will do so in large numbers. These increases in the number of people who will have to have jobs in order to become productive members of society, pose a problem to each community. TABLE 13. N.C. EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION STATISTICS FOR PASQUOTANK COUNTY YEAR NO. OF ANNUAL ANNUAL COUNTY RATIO STATE U.S. ANNUAL N.C. COVERED AVERAGE AVERAGE OF UNEMPLOY- RATIO OF RATIO OF COUNTY AVERAGE UNITS INSURED OF WEEKS MENT (COL. III UI UNEM- UI UNEM- AVERAGE WEEKLY I EMPLOY- CLAIMED + COL. II) PLOYMENT PLOYMENT WEEKLY EARNINGS MENT III IV V VI EARNINGS VIII II VII 1963 225 4,809 318 6.6 3.7 4.3 $69.53 $76.36 : 9 62 229 4,363 243 5. 6 3 .7 4.3 62.80 74.16 1961 226 3,815 266 7 ,0 5.2 5.7 56. 62 70.82 19 60 229 3,893 237 6. 1 4.2 4.7 56.02 68.81 i959 223 3 , 696 225 6. 1 3.9 4.3 54.03 67 . 13 1958 218 3 ,605 326 9.0 6.2 6.6 52 .24 63 . 13 1957 221 3,751 175 4.7 4.6 3 .7 51.51 61.43 1956 231 3 ,902 154 3.9 3.7 3.1 49 .80 59.29 Data Represent Establishments Covered by ESC of North Carolina. 21 Table 13 shows how the number of establishments covered under Social Security have fluctuated during the last eight years, but in 1963 decreased by six. And that employment in these covered units as shown by column II has increased 23 percent, but claims as shown in column III have increased at a much faster rate. Column IV reflects the county ratio of unemployment, which during most of the eight year period, has been above 6 percent which is considered dangerous to the economy. In the counties that make up the Trade Area unemployment has just gotten steadily larger over the last five year period. In January of 1964, it was especially severe in Camden and Currituck counties with un- employment above 40 percent of the labor force. During the last five years Pasquotank County has been able to have less than 6 percent unemploy- ment during June of each year, but never during January and was as high as 15 percent in January of 1964. Table 14 shows an estimate of the availability of labor within a 25 mile radius of Elizabeth City. It shows over 2,500 persons available, but only 5 percent of these are considered skilled workers and nearly 80 percent have been classified as trainable which means they are generally unskilled at this time. This does not present a very attractive situation for a manu- facturing firm that wants skilled labor and most small plants are not in a position of providing their own training program. TABLE 14. EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION OF NORTH CAROLINA ESTIMATE OF RESIDENT PRODUCTION WORKER AVAILABILITY, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, December, 1964 WITHIN A 25 MILE RADIUS THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PRODUCTION TYPE WORKERS AVAILABLE IS: Characteristics WHITE OTHER Total 7. Ma 1 e F ema 1 e Male F ema 1 e No 7. No . 7o No, 7. No . 7o Total Estimate of Available Production Type Workers Skilled Sem iskilled 2,670 100 730 100 885 100 120 5 90 12 15 2 440 16 140 19 235 26 500 100 555 100 15 3 - - 60 12 5 1 Trainable for Production Jobs Demanding Skill Development 2,110 79 500 69 635 72 425 85 550 99 22 TABLE 15. INSURED EMPLOYMENT, INSURED UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT RATE ' 1960 Ton TT62 " 1963 TWA JAN. JUNE JAN. JUNE JAN. JUNE JAN. JUNE JAN- JUNE CAMDEN - EMPLOYMENT 64 90 84 61 56 54 46 62 43 50 UNEMPLOYMENT 1 2 5 1 5 5 1 5 4 I 6 7 1 9 5 RATE - PERCENT 18.8 5-6 17,9 8-2 2 6,8 7-4 34=8 11,3 44.2 10.0 CHOWAN - EMPLOYMENT 1,332 1,283 1,347 1,222 1,308 1,152 1,300 1 ., 2 2 8 1.352 1,335 UNEMPLOYMENT 109 67 115 103 175 61 114 56 124 50 RATE - PERCENT 8.2 5.2 8.5 8.4 13,4 5-3 8,8 4.6 9,2 3.7 CURRITUCK-EMPLOYMENT 145 151 138 168 121 192 164 172 157 188 UMEMPLOYMENT 39 15 48 18 42 12 53 22 63 18 RATE - PERCENT 26,9 9,9 34.8 10,7 34.7 6-2 32,3 12.8 40,1 9.6 PASQUOTANK-EMPLOYMENT 3,698 3,997 3,729 3,857 3,716 4,457 4,497 4,961 4,521 4,811 UNEMPLOYMENT 417 161 513 191 450 127 567 230 669 190 RATE -. PERCENT 11,3 4,0 13,8 5.0 12,1 2.8 12,6 4,7 14.8 3.9 PERQUIMANS-EMPLOYMENT 531 541 482 479 498 532 527 591 575 587 UMEMPLOYMENT 40 24 42 37 48 16 54 8 43 10 RATE - PERCENT 7.5 4,4 8.7 7.7 9,6 3.0 10.2 1,4 7.5 1.7 DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH Besides the production of wealth, the manner in which it is distributed is also important. Since large concentrations in the hands of a few persons would limit the amount of wealth to be spent for consumer goods and services. In contrast, a broader distribution of wealth throughout the entire popula- tion would provide more spending especially within the immediate community. Three different indicators of wealth will be considered: income, education and housing. Income is the most tangible indication of wealth, but education and the type of housing reflect values which are directly related to the popu- lation's earning capacity and abilities. In addition to determining the standards of living to be enjoyed, income, education and housing are also of great importance to the business community. The larger a family's income, the larger his expenditures and since one man's cost is another man's income, it is readily apparent that an increase in prosperity for the 'man in the street' will ultimately be reflected in in- creased sales for local merchants. Income Levels Table 16 shows per capita and family income for Elizabeth City and com- pares them to other areas. Elizabeth City's income figures are above those of the Trade Area and State, but in 1959 still 20 percent less than that for urban North Carolina and nearly 50 percent lower than for the urban United States. There was little change p e r centage- wis e in income figures from 1949 to 1959. The State's figures got closer to national figures but those of Eliza- beth City continued to have the same general relationship with those for the Trade Area even getting smaller. 24 TABLE 16, INCOME AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE STATE 1949-1959 Elizabeth Trade City Area State N , C , Urban N . C . Urban U. S. 1959 Income Mean Family Income Percent of N. C. Median Family Income Percent of N . C . Per Capita Income Percent of N. C. 1949 Income Adjusted to 1959 Dollars Mean Med ian Per Capita $5,012 3 ,9 53 4,838 5,913 7 ,248 10 4% 827, 1 0 0 7o 12 27o 1507. $3,959 3 ,118 3 .956 4,843 6, 166 1 0 1 7„ 7 97o 1007« 12 27„ 15 67o $1 ,403 937 1 ,260 1 ,639 2,069 1 1 1 % 7 47o 1007o 13 07o 16 4% $3 ,334 2 ,649 3 ,250 4, 246 4,961 1 0 3 % 8 2% 100% 1 3 1 % 1 5 3 % $2, 694 2 132 2 594 3 ,453 4, 196 10 4% 82% 100% 13 3% 162% $ 971 697 830 1,212 1 ,490 1 1 7 % 8 4% 10 0% 14 6% 180% A big reason for the lower income levels is the type of local in- dustries and the level of training or education of the population. As noted in the previous section the majority of manufacturing employees are in textiles and lumber industries, both of which traditionally pay low wages- And in most cases manufacturing employment sets the local scale for wages so that those employed as clerks, etc, in commerce and services generally follow the established pattern. - 25 - Table 17 shows the large percentage of families within each of the Trade Area counties with incomes under $3,000. The average of the Trade Area approaches 50 percent. On a national level all families with incomes under $3,000 are considered poverty stricken. Such a large percentage indi- cates that a sizable proportion of the Trade Area population are not healthy contributors to the local economy for many of these low income families are those which must accept welfare assistance. Certainly, they do not lend significantly to the retail sales which downtown Elizabeth City might have from their desires to purchase clothing, appliances and other human needs. TABLE 17. 1959 INCOME DATA NUMBER AND PERCENT OF EACH COUNTY WITH INCOME UNDER $3,000 1 ) Camden 2) Chowan 3) Currituck 4 ) Pas quo t ank 5 ) Pe r qu imans 691 Fami lies 1,493 Families - 6 7 7 Fam i 1 i e s 2,544 Fam i 1 i es 1,337 Fami lies o r 53 . 1% 0 r 55 5% 0 r 41 87o 0 r 41 3 7o 0 r 62 07o FIVE COUNTIES 6,742 Fam i 1 i e s or 48.4% Educational Levels Education attainments, like income levels, in Elizabeth City are above those of the Trade Area, however, well below those of urban North Carolina and the United States. In Elizabeth City 34 percent of the population have completed four years of high school compared to 40 percent of urban North Carolina and 44 percent for urban United States. This is only one-third of the population and only 6.6 percent have completed four years of college or more. A comparison of the median school years completed shows that urban United States with 11.2 years completed, urban North Carolina with 10.4 years, both well above Elizabeth City with 9.4 years and the Trade Area with 8.7 years. TABLE 18. EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AS A PERCENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION FOR PERSONS 25 YEARS AND OLDER URBAN URBAN ELIZA- FASL^UO- CAMDEN PERQUI- CHOWAN CURRI- FIVE U. S- N. C. BETH TANK CO. CO. MANS CO. C0= TUCK CO. CO. CITY AREA 7o No School Years Com- pleted 2.2 2.5 3,4 3.0 3,3 2.8 3.-4 2.7 3.0 % Eight Years Or Less Completed 33-8 39,3 44.5 47 4 59.3 54.3 54,8 54.8 55.0 % Four Years High School Or Better 44,2 40,7 34,4 31.7 23.6 25 1 26.3 24-9 28,0 °/o Four Years College Or Better 8-9 9-8 6.6 5.1 2.6 3.8 5,1 3-6 4,5 Median School Years Com- pleted 11,1 10.4 9.4 8,9 7,8 8-0 8,1 8.7 8 5 Housing Levels Table 19 shows that the quality of housing of Elizabeth City, the Trade Area and all of fi/e counties is much poorer than is the case in the urban United States and North Carolina. In comparison, only 18.6 percent of the housing in urban United States anc 20 percent in urban North Carolina is below standard; whereas 4C.2 percent of the housing in Elizabeth City and 51,7 percent in the Trade Area is substandard. TABLE 19 PERCENT DISTRIBUTION OF STANDARD AND SUBSTANDARD HOUSING FOR SELECTED AREAS - 1960 URBAN URBAN ELIZA- PASQUO- CAMDEN PERQUI-= CHOWAN CURRI- FIVE U. S. N. C. BETH CITY TANK CO. CO. MANS CO. CO, TUCK CO. CO AREA Standard Housing Sub-standard Housing 8 1-4 79,9 5 9-8 52,5 A4,] 33,3 18.6 20.1 40-2 47^5 55-9 66.7 Percent of all housing standard for all 5 counties Percent of all housing sub-standard for all 5 counties 49 .3 53 .4 48 3 50.7 46.6 51 7 s 48 3 n t i e s 51 7 THE CONSUMPTION OF WEALTH In the normal process of living the wealth which each production worker earns is consumed in purchasing the necessities and luxuries which his or her family must have to live. Each family must at least have housing, trans- portation, food and clothing., and many other human needs all of which are supplied by the businesses within the community. An analysis of the retail, wholesale and service trades, the number of establishments and their sales is the best manner of evaluating the manner in which wealth is consumed in El izabeth City . It is necessary to emphasize the difference between the figures which the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association prints each month as an index of retail sales and the United States Census figures. The Retail Mer- chants figures are taken from North Carolina Sales Tax Receipts which are levied on all sales meeting its definition regardless of the nature of the establishment. The United States Census does not include service establish- ments such as barber and beauty shops, shoe repair, launderles and cleaners, etc. under its retail sales category. It does not include sales of estab- lishments which sell partly retail and partly wholesale, nor of materials used by contractors. All of these differences have the effect of making the Merchants figures more inclusive and therefore larger; Wholesale, Retail and Service Trades The following three tables show the manner in which retail, wholesale and service trade has increased or decreased from 1948 to 1958. The only 1963 figures available were for retail trade. Each of the tables show the same general trend, that of decreasing sales within Elizabeth City and in- creasing sales in the rest of the County^ However, the 1962 retail sales figures show how this trend has reversed and Elizabeth City regained more than it had lost. Retail sales decreased 11 percent in Elizabeth City from 1954 to 1958, but increased by 19 percent in the remainder of the County. Services de- creased 6 percent but increased nearly 100 percent in the remainder of the County. Wholesale trade decreased 26 percent, but increased nearly 100 TABLE 20, TRENDS IN RETAIL TRADE FOR SELECTED AREAS 19 48-1954-1958-1962 1948 1954 7o Change 1958 % Change 1,9 63 % Change Pasquotank County No. of Establishments Sales ($000) Payroll ($000) No. of Employees Elizabeth City No. of Establishments Sales ($000) Payroll ($000) No. of Employees Remainder of County* No. of Establishments Sales ($000) Payroll ($000) No. of Employees 369 300 $18,101 $26,838 $ 1,582 2,509 1 ,031 1 ,294 282 257 $16,831 $23,595 $ 1,531 2,282 973 1,134 87 43 $ 1,270 $3,243 $ 51 $ 227 58 160 -18.7 280 48.3 $24,820 58.6 2,519 25.5 1,109 -8.8 216 40.2 $20,963 49. 1 $ 2,236 16.5 980 -59.6 64 155.4 $3 ,857 345.1 $ 283 175.9 129 -6.7 268 -4.3 -7.5 $34,685 +39.7 . 4 3 ,473 +37.9 -14.3 1 , 194 +7.7 ■16.0 243 +12.5 ■11.2 31 ,493 +50.2 .2.0 3,266 +46. 1 •13.6 1,125 +14.8 48.8 25 -60.9 18.9 3 , 192 -17.2 24.7 207 -26.8 •19.4 69 -46.5 *Less Elizabeth City 30 TABLE 21 TRENDS IN SERVICE TRADE FOR SELECTED AREAS 1954 1958 1948 No . No . % Change No % Change Pasquotank County Numb er of Estab. Sales ($1,000) Payroll ($1,000) No. of Employees Elizabeth City Numb er of Estab. Sales ($1 ,000) Payroll ($1,000) No . of Emp 1 oy ee s Remainder of County Number of Estab. Sales ($1,000) Payroll ($1,000) No . of Emp 1 o y e es 100 119 986 1,992 273 515 209 287 85 109 889 1,835 252 491 195 270 + 19.0 +102.0 + 88. 6 + 37 .3 120 + 0.8 1,873 - 6.0 521 +1.2 327 +13.9 +28.2 93 -106.4 1 ,560 ^94.8 464 +38.5 283 -14. 7 -15.0 - 5.5 + 4.8 15 10 -33 3 27 + 170 0 97 157 + 61 9 313 + 99 4 21 24 + 14 3 57 + 137 5 14 17 + 21 4 44 + 158 8 - 31 TABLE 22 TRENDS IN WHOLESALE TRADE FOR SELECTED AREAS 1954 1958 1948 No . No % Change No. % Change Pasquotank County Numb er of Estab. Sales ($1,000) Payroll ($1,000) No. of Employees Elizabeth City Number of Estab. Sales ($1,000) Payroll ($1,000) No. of Employees Remainder of County Numb er of Estab. Sales ($1,000) Payroll ($1,000) No. of Employees 43 52 $13,512 20,445 725 1,148 393 396 +20.9 60 +51.3 20,890 + 58.3 1 ,298 +0.8 419 36 38 + 5 6 40 $11 ,010 15,819 + 43 7 11,681 650 825 + 26 9 865 330 294 -10 9 266 7 14 +100.0 20 $2,502 4, 626 + 84.9 9,209 75 323 +330,7 433 63 102 +61.9 153 + 15.4 + 2.2 + 13 . 1 + 5.8 - 5.3 .26.2 - 4.8 ■ 9.5 + 42.9 + 99. 1 + 34. 1 + 50.0 Retail sales as estimated from sales tax receipts increased from 31 million in 1960 to 41 million in 1963 or approximately a 33 percent in- crease. This general trend of increase in sales is borne out by prelimi- nary 1963 census figures as shown by Table 20. 32 - Retail Sales (1958) Relative to Personal Income (1959) p er f Rati each o r . area Caro amo u the Chow exp e Eliz c it i CO un CO un Pa s q than doub CO un the mo r e d i ca Trad mate to City sale p er c that No rt For the ormance o o of .672 of the f 6728 repr which th 1 ina town nt which State ave an and Pe c t ed , ind abeth Cit z ens of t ties mo s t t y border uo tank — the Stat t , r e ce i V ties. W h retail me in 1958 ting that e Ar ea . ly $7,700 he State ) a Imo s t s in the en t , was El izabet h Carolin urpo ret 8 is ive c e s en t e 1 o c . Ap r e ta i rage . r qu im i ca t i y raer hes e like s. 0 Camd e ave e a g en V i r chan than th es Reta i ,000 a vera $1,00 "Trad spent h Cit s e o ail appl oun t s th al r p lie 1 me In ans ng t chan two 1 y r n th en a rage r ea t ew in t s o exp e e me 1 me mo r e ge; 0,00 e Ar in y do ( f pr sale ied i e s e p e e t a i a t io r cha the -- 1 hat t s p coun ece i e 0 t nd C , in d ea g th f th c t ed r cha r cha in howe 0 le ea " El iz 0 V id s , t to E cons re en 1 me n of nt s two 0 ca 1 wh i 1 roba ties ve s her u r r i d i ca 1 of e "T is a ba s n t s n t s 1958 ver , s s . in 1 abet e rve ing a he No 1 iz ab t i tut t of r chan th is can e CO un mere e the bly r In om e b hand , tuck ting bu s i rad e r ea r ed up p roba in El than the Also 958, h Cit as a s t a rth eth ing to ta ts r the xp ec ties han t y a r e ce i f a c us in in -- 1 that ness Area e ce i on t bly izab the Trad , of appr y. t ret ndar Caro City the 1 p e ece i o r y t to sou s in e in ve o t , t ess the o ca 1 Eli fro " as ved he S r ece eth y wo Ar the o X im hus ail d by 1 ina , the "Trad r so na ve in will r ece thwe s 1958 the n 1 y m h e me from two c mere zabe t m the a wh appro tate ive t City uld h ea ( e $46, a t e 1 y suppo trade wh ic Reta "Tr e Ar 1 in the give ive t of r e c po t e ino r r cha outs oun t han t h Ci cit o 1 e , X ima aver ra de prop ave xc 1 u 000, $21 r t in cen h to eva 1 u il Sales a de Ar ea " ea" . Thi come with average the theo a year ba Pa s quo ta e i ve d mo r ntial "Tr p a t ronag n t s in th i de their i es north s r ec e ive t y mer cha i z en s of it is sh tely $6,5 age , f ur t f rom out er r ec e iv had they s i ve of E 000 spent ,000,000, g the ba s t e r for n ate Inco , an s ra in a Nort r e t i s ed nk - e th a de e fr es e res east far n t s , t h es own 00,0 her side ed a con f 1 i za on o r ic p orth the me d tio given h ca 1 upon an Area" , om the two p ec t i ve of less no e two that 00 in- the pp r ox i- o rmed beth retail 45.6 r emi s e eastern - 33 TABLE 23. 1958 RETAIL SALES RELATIVE TO 1959 PERSONAL INCOME ~~ TRADE ELIZABETH CAMDEN CHOWAN CURRI- PASqUO- PERQUI- TRADE AREA CITY TUCK TANK MANS AREA LESS ELIZ. CITY 1959 Total Personal Income ($000) 1958 Total Retail Sales ($000) Retail Sales as a Percent of Income Expected Sales If State RS/ Inc . Rat io Is Applied to Area Income ($000) Difference - Actual From Expected ($000) 4,526 9,977 6,795 29,741 970 10,176 2 ,473 24,820 21.4 101.9 36.4 3 ,045 6,713 4,572 20,010 ■ 2,075 3 ,463 -2,099 4,810 7,218 58,257 38,529 19, 72) 7,471 45,910 24,947 20,963 i3 .5 103 .5 7i 42.8 106.3 4,856 39, 195 25,922 13,273 2, 615 6,715 - 975 7,690 North Carolina State Ratio = .6728 - 34 Elizabeth City Retail Sales Table 24 indicates retail sales in Elizabeth City as a percent of Pasquotank County retail sales for 1954 and 1958. Drug stores and auto- mobile sales seem to be the two dominating sales categories for Elizabeth City with little competition within the County. However, nearly every category in 1958 received a high percentage of the County's retail sales with only one, eating and drinking places, less than 5 percent below the 84.5 percent total for the County. These figures show a gradual decline, except for the general merchandise group from 1954 to 1958. Certain con- sumer services such as eating and drinking establishments, as well as convenience items such as gas which rural residents once came into Eliza- beth City to purchase, are now available in the County. TABLE 24, ELIZABETH CITY RETAIL SALES AS A PERCENT OF PASQUOTANK RETAIL SALES Category PERCENT 1954 PERCENT 1958 Food Stores Eating, Drinking Places General Mdse. Group Apparel, Accessories Furniture, Home Furn. Automotive Group Gasoline, Service Station Lumber, Bldg. Materials Drug Stores Other Retail 83.6 79.4 72.4 100.0 87.8 94.0 93.2 91.6 100.0 95.9 83 . 68. 86, 80, 81, 91 , 80. 7 84.2 100.0 80.2 Total 89.3 i4.5 - 35 Index of Specialization of Elizabeth City Retail Trade The purpose of this section is to analyze retail trade in Elizabeth City in order to determine which types of activity exceed average special- ization and which types are below average specialization; and thereby ascertain what types of activity may be under-developed and subsequently determine which offer the best opportunity for growth. This is accomp- lished by application of the following formula and the results thus ob- tained are shown by Table 25. Index of local retail specialization SI ST Where SI= local sales for re- tail activity ST= local total sales S I S 1= national sales for ST retailing activity ST= national total re- tail sales It should be noted that this approach is not perfect and does have certain limitations. It is based upon the assumption that the nation is the ideal standard and while this may not be completely accurate, it is as good a standard as there is. Also it is based upon the assumption that there exists a uniformity of demand and consumption throughout the nation, which is certainly not the case. However, it does give a rea- sonably accurate idea as to which types of retailing activity are not as well developed locally as they are nationally. This, in turn, will give us an idea as to what types of retailing activity might possibly be need- ed and therefore successfully expanded. 36 - TABLE 25. INDEX OF SPECIALIZATION OF ELIZABETH CITY RETAIL TRADES 1958 Percent of Total Retail Sal es El izabeth City N , .C . U, .S. 27.5 22, .8 24, .5 3 .2 4, .3 7 .6 13.6 12 , , 7 11 . .0 5.0 6 ,0 6, ,3 5,4 5. , 1 5. ,0 19, 6 17 . , 4 15 .9 5.7 8. , 1 7 , . 1 8.0 7 . , 7 7 , ,2 3.7 3 , ,2 3. ,4 8.3 12, . 7 12, ,0 Index = 1.00 Elizabeth City N . C . U.S. Food Stores Eating, Drinking Places General M'dse. Group Apparel, Accessories Stores Furniture, Home Furnishings Automotive Group Gasoline Service Stations Lumber, Building Materials D rug Stores Other Reta il Total Sales 1 , ,21 1 , ,12 0, , 74 0, ,42 1 , .07 1, ,24 0. ,83 0 . 79 1 ,06 1 , ,08 1 , , 13 1, .23 0, ,70 .80 1 . ,04 1 , , 11 1 , ,16 1 , ,09 0. ,65 0, ,69 100.0 100.0 The results thus obtained are pretty much in keeping with the consumer and merchants opinion survey conducted in Elizabeth City. Table 25 shows that relative to both North Carolina and the United States eating and drink- ing establishments, apparelSj gasoline service stations, and other retail have indices below one, therefore indicating below average specialization. The consumer survey indicated that many persons purchased wearing apparel, furniture and automobiles in the Norfolk and Portsmouth area. A better selection plus lower prices appear to be the primary reasons responsible for the loss of this type of retailing activity, On the other hand, con- venience items such as groceries, hardware, medicine and drugs are purchased primarily in Elizabeth City. On the basis of the above findings, it appears that the retailing activities offering the best opportunity for growth and development and specialized items and consumer services. It should be pointed out that these are not dogmatic recommendations for variations in consumption patterns could be partially responsible for a below average specializa- tion; however, it does serve to give an idea as to what types of activity might possibly be expended. 38 SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS \ \ ¥ / s / K \ One of the weaknesses of this analysis of population and economic growth is the fact that it uses Census data which is at least five years old. Most of the general data was gathered in 1959 for publication as the 1960 Census. Figures on retail sales were only available as recently as 1958 since the most recent 1963 figures have not been released yet by the Department of Commerce. However, an appraisal by observation does not indicate any signifi- cant changes in Elizabeth City from those presented. The only significant industrial employment has been by the Hayes Corporation in the old Naval Station and it is presently phasing out its operation. There has been some speculation in regard to a missle program coming into the base, but there does not seem to be any strong reason to accept this as fact. This does not mean that it might not happen, but just that it should be con- sidered as guess or conjecture. And, it is impossible at this time to tell what effect the purchase of the Naval Base by the North Carolina Port's Authority might have. A large number of local businesses have made changes in their organi- zations and buildings to increase their productive capacity. The City has done a great deal to stimulate the economy by building a new city hall, extending utility lines, encouraging highway construction, building public housing and working in urban renewal. Although there are still a lot of improvements to be programmed such as the sewage disposal plant and further urban renewal projects public works improvements may not be able to sustain their high rate of expenditure. Within the Trade Area there has not been a great deal of change in areas that would directly effect Elizabeth City and purchases in the downtown stores. Edenton and Chowan County have done the most to increase the number of persons employed in manufacturing by adding several new plants. There has been a continuation of growth and prosperity in the tourist industry along the coast and beaches. These changes might improve whole- sale sales in Elizabeth City, but in general have no great effect on retail sales. 39 - Since there does not seem to be any more recent economic changes to nullify census data the trends and conclusions which it sets forth and summarized below must be considered as still active and valid. Population 1. The population of Elizabeth City has been increasing at a moderate to low rate since 1900, and at a low rate in the Trade Area. It is anticipated that the population of Elizabeth City will increase by approximately 2,900 per- sons by 1980, but in the Trade Area decreased by approxi- mately 350 persons. 2. Both Elizabeth City and the Trade Area have experienced large out-migration, particularly among young and middle aged adults. 3. In both Elizabeth City and the Trade Area, the population is becoming increasingly feminine, increasingly non-white and the proportion of the population in age groups 44 to 65 and 65 and over is increasing significantly. The propor- tion of those providing support is decreasing and the propor- tion of those dependent upon support is increasing. 4. Income, education and housing levels in Elizabeth City, the Trade Area, and all five counties constituting the Trade Area are significantly below the levels of attainment for urban United States and urban North Carolina. E conomy 1. Elizabeth City commercial employment, while high, decreased slightly during the last decade. In contrast, commercial employment in the Trade Area increased, indicating increased commercial activity outside the corporate limits of Elizabeth City at the expense of Elizabeth City. 40 2. During the last decade several of the major industries upon which Elizabeth City commercial activities are heavily dependent — agriculture, forestry and fisheries; lumber, and textile products — experienced either small employment increases or declining employment locally, and large employment decreases nationally. This trend is expected to continue indicating a need for many new jobs to absorb the displaced workers. 3. In both Elizabeth City and the Trade Area, the percent of total employment which would be adversely affected by fluctuations of the national business cycle is not unduly high; however, unem- ployment is both high and erratic, indicating employment instabili- ty and insufficient employment opportunity. 4. In both the Trade Area and Elizabeth City, employment for males is decreasing, however increasing for females. Retai 1 Trade The dominance of Elizabeth City as the major retail trade center in Northeast North Carolina is evidenced by the fact that of the $46,000,000 spent on retailing activities in the Trade Area in 1958, approximately $ 2 1 , 000 , 000, o r 45,6 percent, was spent in Eliza- beth City. Also, Elizabeth City merchants receive approximately $7,700,000 more than expected based upon the State average, and the Trade Area (less Elizabeth City) approximately $1,000,000 less. Of the five counties in the Elizabeth City Trade Area, Pasquotank, Camden and Currituck, are the most dependent upon Elizabeth City as a retail trade center. 3. Relative to the United States and North Carolina, retail trade in Elizabeth City is not as great for specialized items and consumer services. Automobiles, furniture, wearing apparel and some other types of retailing activity are lost to the Portsmouth and Norfolk area. Implications of Data Rather than attempt to make assumptions and then come up with future estimates of income, age groups, employment, etc., it seems more desirable to evaluate the results of the statistical analysis in terms of their im- plications. Elizabeth City is a trading center for the five county area, so that the trends within that area are going to effect the sales of downtown merchants. Within the Trade Area there is a general loss of population and out-migration of people primarily in the 19 to 44 age group. This is caused by changes in agriculture as larger farms become mechanized and small farmers or tenants leave because they can no longer find work or make a living. Per capita income within the Trade Area, although increasing in dollars was decreasing as a percent of the State from 84 percent in 1949 to 74 per- cent in 1959. Since population is decreasing and incomes are decreasing re- tail merchants within downtown Elizabeth City may expect to have decreasing sales. The questionnaire which downtown merchants filled out indicated that more than 50 percent of their trade came from outside Elizabeth City. There is a high level of employment in professional persons that work at the colleges and the hospital. Professors, teachers, dentists, doctors, and persons that work in commercial establishments depend upon people with income for their livelihood. If people are leaving and incomes are decreas- ing then even the professions and persons in commerce cannot expect to work for each other. 42 The basic distribution of employment seems very good, except for manufacturing. Certainly, a broad distribution of employment within agriculture, commerce, manufacturing, construction and the professions would seem most desirable. Presently Elizabeth City has a good part of this. There is much to do in agriculture, by helping farmers meet the changes of technology through education and financial policies. There is always the necessity to use initiative in actively seeking more manufacturing employment. The characteristics of available labor and the level of education indicated that resources and energy needs to be spent in continuing to promote and expand Albemarle Community College and Elizabeth City State Teachers. Because of the greater numbers and demand special con- sideration should be given to expanding vocational classes. Since the facility is still very young having only been started in 1961 it's needs are great in terms of financial assistance, buildings, teachers, and most im- portant public initiative to take advantage of these opportunities. the trie with ing ex i s ma rk so c i po pu a pp e ci t i It s is d his Quest re 1 eva t . Wh pop u 1 a c t i V i t ence . e t are a 1 and la t ion ar unf z en or ho u 1 d irect 1 trade ions ncy y is a t io ty i In a , t e CO and a vo r a 5 be r y re area may possibly be entering the minds of some people as to of this data to an analysis of the Central Business Dis- it important for local retailing merchants to be acquainted n and economic trends? The answer is simple. All retail- s dependent upon people and their purchasing power for its order to derive the maximum trade from within a potential he merchant must first know the location as well as the nomic characteristics of his market. In addition, if the economic trends o"f the merchant's market are such as to able to his continued prosperity, he may, as a private a community and civic leader, work to change the trend, emembered that the success and prosperity of the retailer lated to the success and prosperity of the citizenry in The following is a generalized listing of recommendations which may be utilized to facilitate population and economic growth and development, and subsequently create an environment more favorable to the growth of retail trades. First and foremost, both Elizabeth City and the Trade Area need desperately to attract new industry. If possi- ble it should be industry with good growth potential, reasonably stable, and employ predominantly males. It should also be of a type which would serve to diversify the present economic base. This is necessary for several reasons. In the first place, a large percentage of the basic employment upon which Elizabeth City commercial activity is dependent is in industries which are decreas- ing both locally and nationally in employment, therefore many new jobs will be needed in the future to absorb these displaced workers. Secondly, unemployment is al- ready extremely high and erratic and many jobs are already needed to give stability to the present economic base. Finally, new employment is needed to prevent a continua- tion of past migration trends. In the past many people have been lost due to out-migration — particularly young and middle aged adults. It is very important that these persons be provided with better economic opportunity be- cause failure to do so will result in a continued loss of many valuable persons. Not only are these young and middle aged adults the most productive workers and the future leaders of the community, but also a very important source of purchasing power. Their leaving will result in a valuable loss of personal income, and therefore demand for goods and services. It should be remembered that people of this age constitute a very large portion of the total demand for new homes, cars, furniture, appliances, etc. Secondly, effort should be made to upgrade the educational levels of the area. This, in turn, will increase the quality and productivity of the labor force and hopefully serve to facilitate the attraction of new industry, increase income levels, hence purchasing power, improve housing, and general- ly speaking, improve the style and living standards of the area . Thirdly, Elizabeth City merchants should take note of the changing complexion of the population= In the future there will be more children and many more retired and elderly per- sons. This will be accompanied by a corresponding change in demand to more goods and services oriented toward these seg- ments of the population. Finally, it may be wise to explore the possibility of ex- panding and improving specialty stores and consumer service, and thereby hopefully attract business presently being lost to other trade areas — particularly the Norfolk Area. These are only several of many steps which should be taken to improve the economic structure of the City and Trade Area, hence the retailing fu- ture of the Central Business District. 45 CONSUMER AND MERCHANT SURVEYS \ ^ t / (1 \ s // N •\ The Elizabeth City Planning Board and Chamber of Commerce with the excellent cooperation of the Elizabeth City Public Schools conducted a survey of people who shop in the Central Business District and of the merchants who have their stores located there. The questionnaire was distributed during the Spring of 1964 to consumers through the public schools. The purpose was to question a cross section of the people who live in Elizabeth City and vicinity to learn their shopping habits and their opinions of the downtown's effectiveness as a shopping and service center. Consumer Survey The results of the consumer survey are tabulated and shown on the following pages. Each of the questions on the questionnaire is shown and the total and percentage of answers given. A total of 2,702 questionnaires were returned for tabulation. Question No. 1 - Where do you buy most of the following items? Type of Purchase Number of Rep lies Percent GROCERIES Elizabeth City Norfolk Area Po r t smouth Hertford Edenton Others 2,500 163 86 5 112 37.2 5.7 3 .0 .2 3 .9 WEARING APPAREL Elizabeth City Norfolk Area Po r t smo u t h Hertford Edenton Others 2,360 486 42 12 5 60 79. 6 16.4 1 .4 .4 .2 2.0 Typ e of Pur cha s e FURNITURE &. HOME FURNISHINGS Elizabeth City Norfolk Area Po r t smouth Hertford E dent on Others REPLIES (Conit) Number of Replies 2,296 305 26 7 5 23 86.8 11.0 .9 .3 .2 HARDWARD & APPLIANCES Elizabeth City Norfolk Area Po r t smo uth Hertford E denton Others 2,410 188 28 12 5 40 89.8 AUTOMOBILES Elizabeth City Norfolk Area Po r t smouth Hertford E den ton Others 1,884 261 33 191 9 49 77.6 10.8 1.3 7.9 .4 2.0 LUMBER & BUILDING SUPPLIES El izabeth City Norfolk Area Port smo uth Hertford Eden ton Others 2,012 70 19 9 7 28 93.8 3.3 .9 .4 .3 1.3 Typ e of Purchase FARM EQUIPMENT Elizabeth City Norfolk Area Port smouth Hertford E denton Others MEDICINE & DRUGS Elizabeth City Norfolk Area Po r t smo u th Hertf o rd Eden ton Others INSURANCE Elizabeth City Norfolk Area Po rt smouth Hertford E d enton Others REPLIES (Con't) Number of Replies 1, 107 51 7 9 7 28 2,589 98 12 2 5 30 2,366 51 12 5 5 133 Percent 91 . 6 4 .2 .6 .7 .6 2 .3 94 .6 3. , 6 .4 . 1 .2 1 , . 1 92, ,0 2. .0 ,5 .1 .2 5. . 1 An average of 90.8 percent of all consumers made their purchases of furniture, hardware, appliances, lumber, farm equipment, medicine and insurance in Elizabeth City. The significance of this figure is indicated by similar surveys in Tarboro, which is close to Rocky Mount, and Albemarle which is close to Charlotte, each only had an average of 75 percent of all consumer replies. 48 In regard to purchase for automobiles, furniture, and wearing apparel Norfolk had a significant percentage of the consumer replies. However, a characteristic of automobile and other specialized purchases is that they are often not made in the local community. Question No. 2 - Where do you visit the following people or places most? Type of Pur cha s e Number of Replies Percent DOCTOR Elizabeth City Norfolk Area Po r t smouth Hertford Edenton Others 2,373 156 40 26 5 247 i3 .3 5.5 1.4 .9 .2 8.7 DENTIST Elizabeth City Norfolk Area Po r t smo u th Hertford Edenton Others 2,454 88 33 114 9 28 90.0 3 .2 1.2 4.2 .4 1.0 HOSPITAL OR CLINIC Elizabeth City Norfolk Area Po r t smo uth Hertford Edenton Others 2,414 172 49 2 60 59.5 6.4 1.8 .1 2.2 49 Type of Purchase BANK El izabeth City Norfolk Area Po r t smo ut h Hertford Edent on Others LAWYER Elizabeth City Norfolk Area Port smo u t h Hertford E denton Others EATING & DRINKING PLACES Elizabeth City Norfolk Area Po r t smouth Hertford Edenton Others ENTERTAINMENT El izabeth City Norfolk Area Po rt smouth Hertford Edenton Others REPAIR SHOPS Elizabeth City Norfolk Area Portsmouth Hertford Edenton Others REPLIES (Con't) Number of Replies 2,549 30 7 5 35 1 ,960 44 12 9 2 23 2,282 281 51 28 12 58 2,003 416 40 21 21 72 2,400 84 12 9 7 33 97,1 1.1 .3 .2 1.3 95.6 2.2 .6 .4 .1 1.1 84.2 10.4 1.9 1.0 .4 2.1 77, 16, 1, 2.8 94.3 3.3 .5 .3 .3 1.3 50 An average of 90 percent of the respondents indicated that they visited lawyers, banks, dentists, doctors and received other services in Elizabeth City. Again, in comparison with Tarboro which averaged only 74 percent and Albemarle which averaged only 72 percent this is a very high percentage. It should be noted that 97 percent of the respondents indicated that they banked in Elizabeth City. Replies for entertainment and eating and drinking were noticeably high for the Norfolk area. Question No. 3 - Do you live in Elizabeth City? Number o f Rep lies Percent of Total Yes 1410 52% No 129 1 487. If you do not live in Elizabeth City, write the name of the community in which you live. Number o f Rep lies Percent of Total Other Rur a 1 Areas South Mills Camden Weeksvi lie N ewl and 352 27 .2 288 22.3 214 16.6 205 15.9 130 10.1 102 7.9 How many miles is this from Elizabeth City? Number of Replies Percent of To ta 1 Under 10 miles Between 10 6« 30 miles Over 30 miles 623 644 7 49% 5 0% 1% 51 The majority or 52 percent of the persons filling out the questionnaires lived in Elizabeth City. As shown above, the largest numbers came from surrounding rural areas with no specific community. Besides the communi- ties listed people came from Belcross, Shiloh, Old Trap, Mt . Heman, Riddle and many other small communities. Respondents were equally divided be- tween those within 10 miles of Elizabeth City and those between 10 and 30 miles. Only a very few persons came further than 30 miles. Question No. 4 - How often do you come to downtown Elizabeth City? Frequency of Visits Number of Rep lies Percent of Total Daily 2 or 3 times a week Once a week Several times a year 733 1 ,096 575 51 28.7 43 .0 22.6 2.0 There were 2,550 replies to this question. Over 94 percent of the respondents come to downtown Elizabeth City at least once a week or more frequently. Question No. 5 - For how many years have you come to shop in downtown Elizabeth City? N umb er of Years 10 years or longer 5-10 years 1-4 years 1 or less years Number of Replies 1 ,831 267 249 112 Percent of Total 74, ,5 10. .9 10. ,1 4. .5 52 - Three-fourths of the 2,459 persons answering this question have been shopping in Elizabeth City for ten years or longer. Only 4.5 percent of the replies indicated shopping in Elizabeth City's central area for one or less years. Question No. 6 - When you come to Elizabeth City, where do you park? Number of Replies Percent of Total Meter Parking on the Street Meter Parking on Lots Private Parking Other 1 ,805 547 147 342 6 47o 197. 5% 12% The majority of persons parked on the street in metered spaces while others patronized the City metered parking lot. Only a small percentage of the people parked in private spaces. It is assumed that those indicated other parked in the unmetered street parking spaces. Question No. 7 - Do you work in the downtown area? Number of Replies Percent of Total Yes 540 20.1 No 2 , 145 79.9 Only a small percentage of those responding to the questionnaire worked in the Central Business District. Question No. 8 - Approximately what percentage of your total shopping spending, not counting groceries, do you consider that you do in E 1 izabeth City? Number of Replies Less than 25 percent 309 Between 20 and 60 percent 865 Over 60 percent 1,416 Percent of Total Eli zabe th T a rbo ro A Ibema r 1 e City 127o 15% 17 7o 3 3 7o 3 2 7o 3 77., 5 57o 5 3 7o 4 67. It is significant to find that over half of the respondents spend over 60 percent of their total shopping monies in Elizabeth City's Central Business District. The replies to this question approximate these for Tarboro and Albemarle. Question No. 9 - Can you usually find the merchandise you need or are look- ing for? Number of Replies Percent of Total Yes No 1 ,958 651 75.0 25.0 The majority of the respondents could find the merchandise that they needed, but several pointed out that they often had to substitute available items for the purchases that they were looking for. 54 Question No< How do you rate downtown stores with regard to Number of Replies Percent WINDOW DISPLAYS Excel lent Good Fair Poor No Opinion 323 1 , 458 747 81 100 11.9 53 .8 27.6 3 .0 3 . 7 STORE FRONTS Excellent Good Fair Poor No Op in io n 212 1 ,209 947 174 102 8.0 45.7 35.8 6.6 3 .9 CLEAN, WELL LIGHTED INTERIORS Excel lent Good Fair Poor No Opinion 349 1 ,333 716 151 67 13 .3 51 .0 27.4 5.8 2.5 RESTROOM FACILITIES Excellent Good Fair Poor No Opinion 391 667 1,249 214 3 .3 15.0 25.6 47 . 9 8.2 55 How do you rate sales personnel? COURTEOUS & HELPFUL Excellent Good Fair Poor No Opinion PERSONAL APPEARANCE Exc e 1 1 en t Good Fair Poo r No Opinion KNOWLEDGE OF PRODUCTS Excellent Good Fair Poo r No Opinion Number o f Rep lies Percent 561 21. 1 1 ,126 42 .4 714 26.9 200 7.3 56 2.1 363 14.3 I ,544 60.9 498 19.6 74 2.9 58 2.3 247 9.9 1; ,051 42.0 861 34.4 274 11.0 67 2.7 How do you rate stores from the standpoint of; QUALITY OF MERCHANDISE Excellent Good Fair Poor No Opinion SELECTION OF VARIETY OF Excel lent Good Fair Poor N o Op i n io n MERCHANDISE 314 405 726 105 51 209 996 854 433 42 12.1 54.0 27 .9 4.0 2.0 8.3 39.3 33.7 17.1 1 .6 56 According to the consumers filling out this question, Elizabeth City's downtown stores rate relatively high with regard to the stores' appearance, facilities, sales personnel, and merchandise, The majority or 74 percent of the respondents placed the stores in the good to fair range while only 12 percent rated them as poor A total of 11 percent appraised the stores' varied aspects as excellent which is certainly an indication of a very de- sirable Central Busines? District development As opposed to the ovei-all average percentages for each qualitative category, the individual percentages for the stores' restroom facilities, and its selection and variety of merchandise, and its sales personnels knowledge of the products reveal there is room for improvements in these areas- Approximately 47-9 percent of the respondents rated restrooms in the downtown stores as poor., W 1 percent rated the selection or variety of merchandise as poor, and 11 percent indicated the sales personnel employed in the downtown stores possessed very little knowledge of the products sold. Question No. 11 - Of the improvements listed below which do you think should be incorporated in downtown? Number of Replies Percent of Total More Pa rk ing Provide Restrooms Improve Store Fronts Covered Sidewalks Pedestrian Mall Shrubs Planted Trees Planted 1 ,993 33% 1 ,756 2 9% 767 13% 486 8% 388 7% 314 5% 300 5% More parking and restrooms seem to be the main improvements which consumers demand. Certainly these are two of the more important ingre- dients of any good shopping area. Question No. 12 - Considering traffic congestion, your ability to find a parking space, the appearance of stores and the selection of merchandise in downtown Elizabeth City stores, what suggestions do you have for im- proving downtown Elizabeth City area? Out of the 2,702 surveys returned, only 688 of them failed to state needed improvements in response to this question. Various types of im- provement were suggested for Elizabeth City's Central Business District. Many respondents made more than one suggestion and the same recommendations for improvements were indicated by more than one person. The following table lists the improvements most frequently suggested in numerical order: Suggested Improvement IMPROVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION Number of Replies Total 756 100 More Parking Space 181 Enforce Traffic & Pedestrian Laws 116 Remove Parking Meters 114 Widen Frequently Traveled Streets 79 Discontinue On-Street Parking 60 Off-Street Parking for Merchants and Emp lo yees ^7 Provide Loading Zones & Permit Loading only after Store Hours for On-Street Loading Zones 30 Two-Way Traffic on Main Thoroughfares 28 One-Way Traffic on Main Thoroughfares 26 Short-Time Parking Meters at Strategic Places 26 Synchronize Traffic Lights on Main Thoroughfares 23 Provide Walk & Don't Walk Signs for Pedestrians 19 Reroute Traffic Around Town 7 24 15 15 11 IMPROVE STORE MERCHANDISE: 43 2 100 Larger Selection of Merchandise 272 Competitive prices — more moderate 95 More Creative Advertisement and Window Displays 49 Quality Merchandise Sold in a Few Large Sales Instead of Numerous Small Ones 12 Guarantee Merchandise 2 Less Sales Tax 2 - 58 - 63 22 11 Suggested Improvement REPLIES (Cont) Number of Replies OVERALL IMPROVEMENT 309 Repair and/or Pave All Streets & S idewa Iks Cleaner Streets Urban Renewa 1 Improve Waterfront Area Rebuild Elizabeth City Status Quo Improve Courthouse Grounds Prevent Pollution of Pasquotank River Raise Street Level to Insure Better Drainage Better Street Lighting 60 56 30 28 23 9 5 5 5 29 19 18 10 9 IMPROVE STORES: 271 100 Cleaner Stores & Restrooms Modernize Stores Better Organization Within Stores Especially Remove Merchandise from Aisles Provide Awnings Improve Appearance of Vacant Stores Eliminate Water Spray from Air Conditioners MORE STORE SERVICES & COMMUNITY FACILITIES 95 93 74 5 2 2 264 35 34 27 100 Provide Recreational Facilities